“It’s not as important to win this game for what’s been going on in the past, the past 11-12 whatever years,” co-captain Jake Butt said Monday. “Really, we need to win this game for what we have right in front of us right now. That’s all we’re focused on. We have an unbelievable opportunity to go on the road and compete against a really good team. We know everything’s on the line, our whole entire season’s on the line. We need to win the game for that reason.”

Harbaugh was asked repeatedly about the larger rivalry, especially considering he has lived it, from his 1986 guarantee, beating the Buckeyes in Columbus and watching some of the 1970s matchups up close.

“I don’t look at it as a pie chart, that was my favorite, this was my less favorite,” Harbaugh said. “Each game, each opportunity, each chance for your team to show what they’ve got. I’ve got seven kids (one due in February) and love each one 100%. I don’t break them up into pie charts.”ege Football Playoff rankings.